DAVID BECKHAM looks across the training pitch in Sardinia and sees a teenager who typifies the brave, new England.

It is 18-year-old Wayne Rooney.

England's motto for Euro 2004 is Altogether Now. It could easily be No Fear.

Rooney has no fear, Beckham has no fear, England have no fear.

Two weeks before Le Crunch in Lisbon, Beckham says: "We are not scared of any players, we are not scared of any team.

"We have a team of young players and they are not worried about going into any game.

"They are not thinking about how good the French team is, how good Thierry Henry is or how good Patrick Vieira is."

And no-one demonstrates that attitude better than Rooney, according to Beckham.

He says: "Wayne is a young player but doesn't play like a young player. He plays like an experienced player - like an Alan Shearer.

"He doesn't care who he's playing against. He will go and compete against the toughest defenders and that, for a player of his age, is a great testament to him.

"He's not just a goalscorer, there's also a lot of heart there."

Rooney's emergence, along with the return of Steven Gerrard and Gary Neville, who both missed the World Cup through injury, is why Beckham can barely contain himself when talking about England's chances in Portugal.

He says: "People are more excited about this competition than any other one that I have been involved in.

"We have a young team but with a lot of experience in it, as well.

"People reading and seeing this squad will have a little bit of a smile on their face because we have a very talented group of players, and if we get a little bit of luck on the way and we stay fit, then we have a great chance."

Beckham rightly points to the presence of Gary Neville and Gerrard as huge positives. He says: "Gary has had a good season ... even scored a couple of goals. He has played well himself and come out with a trophy in the end.

"To end the season with a trophy like the FA Cup is a big boost for him coming into this.

"And Stevie Gerrard has been one of the best players in the Premiership this season.

"You need players like him, ball players and ball winners.

"He plays great passes and has a lot energy.

"What he has done for Liverpool this season has been amazing.

"He's probably surprised himself by how high his standards have been in every game.

"It's great to have him in our team."

But while Gerrard and Gary Neville will certainly be crucial players in England's campaign, it is Beckham himself who might hold the key to success.

The England captain admits he wasn't fit for the World Cup in Japan.

But he is now firing on all cylinders and - despite Real Madrid's dramatic collapse - he believes Europe will see a new, improved Beckham in two weeks.

He explains: "Before I joined Real Madrid, I said I wanted to go there and learn from these players and from my experience of playing in Spain, and I have definitely done that.

"People have only gone on at the end of this season about the disappointment and the failure that I have been, and that another English player has failed in Spain.

"But I don't feel a failure. I haven't won anything yet, so that's a failure.

"But, on a personal level, I feel the performances I have put in, especially at the start of the season, proves to a lot of people that I wasn't just there to sell shirts.

"I have definitely improved in my game. Playing with the likes of Zidane has made me a lot more confident.

"I think my touch and the quickness in my feet has become a lot better since I have been in Spain."

Beckham, of course, will go head-to-head with Zinedine Zidane in a fortnight's time. The Frenchman is another perceived as going into Euro 2004 on the back of a disappointing season.

But Beckham will not be fooled.

He says: "Maybe critics have said Zidane has had a bad season - but his bad game is everyone else's man of the match game.

"So to have a player like him in your team gives you an advantage.

"To play in the same team as Zidane is amazing. I have played a 50-yard pass to him, and if he hadn't volleyed it straight into the bottom corner it wouldn't have made my pass look as good.

"When you have got players like that, who can do that, you just give them the ball and see what they can do."

But Beckham believes Zidane will hold England in equal esteem when he walks into the Luz Stadium on June 13 for the Group B opener.

Beckham says: "We both realise what a big game this is going to be.

"I think he realises that we have got a great squad of players and I certainly realise they have a great squad of players.

"They have players that have been unbelievable in their own teams this season.

"Look at the performances of Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and Claude Makelele.

"They have so many great players in that team so it is going to be a hard game but I'm looking forward to it.

"You have got to put yourself against the best and they are definitely the best.

"People will always look at this French team and say they are unbeatable - but they are definitely beatable.

"They weren't unbeatable at the World Cup. That proved it and we can take something from that."

Beckham is still dropping heavy hints to Sven Goran Eriksson that he would like to continue in his club position in the centre of midfield.

"I would like to play in the middle every game that I play," he confirms. "But I'm sure the manager will have his own decision.

"... and contrary to what anyone else thinks, he is the one who makes the decisions!"